Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder (Print Version)
Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in apple cider with apples, onions, and fresh herbs, perfect for chilly evenings.
# Ingredients:
01 -
4-5 lb pork shoulder roast or boston butt roast
02 -
2 tablespoons neutral oil
03 -
2 cups fresh apple cider
04 -
2 cups chicken stock or broth
05 -
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
06 -
1 tablespoon dehydrated minced onion
07 -
1 head of garlic, top sliced off opposite of the root end
08 -
3 rosemary sprigs
09 -
4 thyme sprigs
10 -
1 red onion, cut into thick slices
11 -
2 firm and slightly tart apples, peeled and cut into wedges
12 -
kosher salt
13 -
freshly cracked black pepper
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat an oven to 325 F.
02 -
Trim excess fat from the pork if there are large fat caps. Cut the pork into 4 large pieces or leave it whole if bone-in.
03 -
Pat the pork pieces dry with a paper towel and season liberally all over with kosher salt and pepper.
04 -
Heat the oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, arrange the pork in a single layer and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned. Repeat on all sides. Sear in batches if necessary.
05 -
Whisk together the cider, stock or broth, dijon mustard, and dehydrated minced onion. Set aside.
06 -
Use kitchen twine to tie the rosemary and thyme together into a small bundle.
07 -
Once the pork is browned, pour in the braising liquid. Arrange the herb bundle and garlic head in the pot with the pork. Cover and transfer to the oven.
08 -
Braise for approximately 3 hours, checking at 2.5 hours if boneless. Flip the pork halfway through.
09 -
Once the pork is just shy of fork tender, remove from the oven and arrange the onions and apples around the pork. Cover and return to the oven for another 30-45 minutes.
10 -
Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest in the braising liquid for 30 minutes before serving. Squeeze garlic cloves out into the broth or onto the pork. Adjust seasoning of the braising liquid to taste and serve over the pork, apples, and onions.